Tesla P85D Acceleration Forces vs. Dodge Challenger Hellcat: Video

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When the Tesla Model S P85D launched (referred to as the “Tesla P85D” from here on), the commotion which resulted was two-fold. First, there was shock and awe surrounding how tightly-kept a secret the car had been; second, there was still more shock and even greater awe at the otherworldly sensation of driving it.

Granted, much of this has to do with the inherent character of Tesla P85D’s pure-electric drivetrain; the rocket-like acceleration of the car isn’t accompanied by the loud roar of a petrol-burning engine like we’re used to, and the lack of more than one forward gear ratio means there are no abrupt interruptions to the power flow. Both of these factors gave the Tesla P85D a distinct advantage in imbuing a sense of extraordinary acceleration.

But the electric car’s awesome sensations go deeper than that, as Consumer Reports explains in the video below. Through conducting side-by-side instrumented acceleration tests – one with the Tesla P85D, and another with a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat – the magazine staff ascertains that the unique sensory characteristics of the Tesla’s powertrain are only part of the reason for its otherworldly feel.

The final, big piece of the puzzle? Monumental, instantaneous torque resulting in more than 1 G of forward force just moments after the accelerator is depressed.

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— Aaron Birch

Aaron Birch is an automotive enthusiast and writer/filmmaker from Detroit, MI. As a rule, he only buys cars older than himself.